Conservation Kids Flower Power!

They say that "April" showers bring May flowers!" but in Indiana wildflowers can bloom as early as late March. Spring wildflowers can be found in wooded areas, water's edge, and even along the roadsides. But remember look don't touch! Most wildflowers need to be left so that they can produce seed to appear again next spring and next spring... (taken from IDNR Spring: Wildflowers Brochure)

Harbinger of Spring

Also known as "Salt and Pepper," this flower blooms every year from an energy rich bulb. It is one of the earliest bloomers and is found n the shelter of logs or beech leaves.

Dutchman Breeches

The flower resembles a pair of pair "breeches" hanging upside down. It has fern-like leaves and is found in rich soil in open woods.

Mayapple

 

The flower of the mayapple has 6 to 9 waxy petals and grows beneath the large, deeply lobed leaves. When mayapples first appear in early May, they look like small umbrellas.

Shooting Star

Shooting Star is found in patches on dry, upland sites and in open woods and meadows. The flowers range in color from white to pink.

Wild Ginger

The common name comes from the ginger-like smell of the root. The rich brown or maroon flower is cup shaped and rather fleshy and is often concealed on the ground under the heart shaped leaves.

Jack-in Pulpit

 

This flower earned its name from its resemblance to a preacher giving sermon from a roofed pulpit. Found in wooded areas, jack-in-the-pulpit often has only one deeply divided leaf.

Trout Lily

This member of the lily family is sometimes called yellow-fawn lily because of its spotted leaves. Many flowerless leaves are seen on hillsides; it may take several years to store enough energy to produce a flower. A white species also exists.

Bristly Buttercup

There are several species; all have glossy, yellow petals. the leaves alternate along the stem and are usually divided into three parts. flowers glow singly. Buttercups are mostly found in moist places.

Yellow Wood Sorrel

This low growing plant has clover like leaves that close at dusk and open in the morning. Its Latin name, Oxalis, refers to the sour taste of all its parts. The flowers have five spreading petals.

Fire Pink

The deep scarlet petals are easy to see in open woods or rocky slopes. The notched petals show that this slower is in the Pink family. The carnation is probably the most recognized "relative".

Common Blue Violet

Violet leaves can be used as cooked greens or in salads. They are high in vitamins A and C. Other species may be white or yellow.

Virginia Bluebells

The loose cluster of tubular, bell-like flowers make this an easy plant to identify. Pink buds contrast with the blue flowers.

Spring Larkspur

The spring or dwarf larkspur, grows to 4-24 inches tall. The flowers are usually a deep violet color but are sometimes all white.

Blue Phlox

The pale violet flower of this plant radiate from the top of the stem which appears somewhat hairy and sticky. The blue phlox is well known for its color and fragrance.

Other Conservation Kids Pages

Frogs

State Parks

Aquatic Bugs